Date: September 21, 2012
Author: Allison Moder, Yarbrough-Grady Intern
Contact: Parker Middleton, jparkerm@uga.edu

Alumni from all over the country were honored this week at a luncheon in Atlanta for exemplifying true Bulldog spirit where they live, work and play. The 40 honored are successful men and women under the age of 40 who have continued to live out the three pillars of the Arch — wisdom, justice and moderation. Here are the nine Grady graduates who continue to make a name for themselves, the University and Grady College.

Peter Dale (ABJ '99 Public Relations) — The National Restaurant, Chef

Peter Dale, executive chef at The National restaurant has changed the face of the food culture of Athens. The University of Georgia and the Athens community at large take great pride in their unique culture and traditions. For the city, that includes its vibrant music scene and eclectic food options. For the University, it is the encouragement of the pursuit of new initiatives and involvement in the community. Dale has contributed to both of these cultures. A public relations graduate, Dale and Hugh Acheson opened The National in 2007 to provide the experience of European restaurants. Dale not only brought his unique expertise to Athens, but also a keen desire to better the community. The National uses food sourced from the Athens area to make Dale's new blend of Spanish, North African and Eastern European cuisine. He has also supported the efforts of the "slow food" initiative and is on the Board of Directors for the Boybutante Aids Foundation. This year Dale was named "The People's Best New Chef Southeast" by Food and Wine magazine.

Jehan Y. El-Jourbagy (ABJ '00 Public Relations) — Lawyer

The continual effort of bettering one's community and oneself is a value taught and revered at the University of Georgia. Jehan El-Jourbagy of Haygood, Lynch, Harris, Melton and Watson, LLP, is a prime example of Georgia graduates going out and making a difference. Since receiving her undergraduate degree in Public Relations from Grady College and law degree from UGA, she has tirelessly worked to better the quality of life for those in her community, starting with those who will become the future - the youth. As the executive director of the Jasper County Mentor Program, El-Jourbagy recruits and matches adult volunteers with children in the local public schools, increasing the number of mentors two-fold. Also striving to promote the arts, she founded the Monticello Community Band which she directs in three annual concerts. With her music background in the UGA Redcoat Band and love of education, El-Jourbagy was instrumental in the establishment of the community band scholarships for graduating seniors and raising funds for a grand piano for the local high school. An active leader in Monticello, she has also been named "Outstanding Leader of the Year" in 2008 and has received the ninth annual Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service.

Vivian Greentree (ABJ '00 Public Relations) — Blue Star Families

Vivian Greentree, director of research and policy for the Blue Star Families, a national non-profit organization for military families, has been living out the pillars of the Arch by not only making an impact on those around her, but also on communities all across the country. A Navy veteran and military spouse, Greentree saw a need for support for military families. Seeing this need she helped establish Blue Star Families and is now responsible for promoting and conducting policy training for community organizations, lawmakers and other stakeholders. She also coordinates the research agenda, including facilitating its annual military family lifestyle survey, which queries military families throughout the nation. While she has been at the organization, their membership has grown to more than 40,000, and the national survey has been quoted by the First Lady, elected officials, national reports and a Presidential Directive. The skills acquired through her public relations studies and work with the Student Government Association at UGA have all prepared Greentree as she continues serving military families.

Lorraine Hawley (ABJ '98 Advertising) — Archer Daniels Midland Company

Lorraine Hawley was first introduced to international politics at the UGA at Oxford Program while studying abroad as an advertising major. Since that time, she has been working in international relations including serving as government affairs representative for Chevron, where in 2009 she was nominated to represent the company in the U.S. Department of State/United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Franklin Fellowship program. When she was at the State Department, Hawley played a key role in advancing the U.S. Government (USG) energy and transportation objectives and also represented USG at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation energy/transportation forums. Throughout her career, Hawley has stayed connected and supported her alma mater by being active in the UGA Alumni Association in D.C. and holding a past board position. Currently the Director of International Government Relations for Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), she manages government relations strategy and implementation for more than 100 countries where ADM operates.

Keysha Lee (ABJ '97 Telecom Arts) — Klee Productions

Keysha Lee has worked to translate the ideals of the pillars of the Arch into educational programming to better the lives of students. After seven years as a television news reporter, Lee wanted to develop her passion of media education that was nurtured in the classrooms of UGA. As the Academy of Mass Communication department head for DeKalb County Schools, she has developed more than 25 partnerships with colleges and companies to help students gain skills and experience in mass communication. She has also created a student-produced show title, "Lessons with Mrs. Lee," which features successful professionals giving advice and sharing life lessons with students. In 2011, her service to the community was recognized when she received the SkillsUSA Advisor Service Award for service to students pursuing careers in media. Lee's commitment to help students understand journalism and gain deeper interactions with media has helped foster future generations of journalists.

Kristen Manion Taylor (ABJ '96 Telecom Arts) — Delta Air Lines, Inc.

After she graduated from UGA, Kristen Manion Taylor began working for Delta Air Lines, Inc. Fifteen years later, she continues to play an integral role in Delta's marketing initiatives, which serves as a model for the airline industry. Currently the managing director of Worldwide Marketing Communications and Ancillary Revenue, Manion Taylor leads a team that has grown from eight members to 81 under her leadership. She played a critical role in bringing the airline back to profitability by helping to launch the "Keep Climbing" campaign, which resulted in the highest ad awareness, brand commitment and brand momentum ever measured for Delta. She established Delta's direct and interactive marketing strategy, building a database of nearly 22 million subscribers, and developed the company's social media strategy. Manion Taylor has also proven to be a leader for her alma mater, continually participating in UGA alumni gatherings at Delta and speaking in panel discussions for students. Supporting UGA's New Media Institute (NMI) is also a priority for her, as she looks for opportunities for NMI students to partner with Delta on social media projects.

Mike Martin (ABJ '95 Advertising) — Skylab-B

Mike Martin has exemplified what positive outcomes can come of a successful alumnus continually giving back. In addition to his work, he is on the Grady College Alumni Board and gives of his time to speak with classes and participates in Grady's mentor program. With a team of other alums, Martin donated his time to organize and produce the UGA's "Chapel Bell" television commercial that aired on national television during UGA football broadcasts. Martin has worked for top advertising agencies in the country such as DDB, Arnold Worldwide and Carmichael Lynch and taught at The Creative Circus and the Miami Ad School. In the past, Martin also served on the board of directors for the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA). Currently, he is the owner and creative director of Skylab-B. Because of his work, he has received the highest industry honors including the One Show, Clios and Mercury Awards. He also organized the Truth Campaign to reduce teen smoking, which Adweek called one of the most effective and highly awarded campaigns.

Brian Robinson (ABJ '97 Newspapers) — Office of the Governor

Brian Robinson, Deputy Chief of Staff of Communications for Gov. Nathan Deal, has made significant positive contributions to Georgia's state government. He became a leading expert in the field of political communications, having served as the communications director for U.S. Congressman Phil Gingry, deputy chief of staff for U.S. Congressman Lynn Westmoreland and also as communications director for Nathan Deal prior to his appointment. During Deal's campaign, Robinson shaped the messages that played a crucial role in winning the election. Before his success in politics, Robinson attended UGA, studied at the Grady College and received the prestigious Ralph Award in 1997. Explain the Ralph Award. UGA is where he discovered his affinity for politics by volunteering for student candidates. Robinson joined the staff of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as a copy editor upon graduation, becoming one of their youngest journalists.

Kyle Wingfield (ABJ '01 Publication Management) — Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A world-traveled journalist, Kyle Wingfield's career has involved many experiences most journalists only dream of — experiences which were made possible by the training and instruction he found at UGA. Wingfield has worked for prominent news organizations including the Associated Press and The Wall Street Journal and is now a columnist for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He not only covers stories from his home state, but also reports from across Europe. Wingfield attributes his success to the mentorship of his Grady professors and the experience he gained while serving as an editor and writer for The Red & Black. He was a Foundation Fellow, allowing him the opportunity to also travel to 12 countries on six continents, including Antarctica, while studying at UGA.